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Avast founders Eduard Kučera (left) and Pavel Baudiš (right) in 2016 with their spouses, who run the non-profit Avast Foundation for community development

Key Information

Avast Software s.r.o. is a subsidiary of Gen Digital. It is a Czech multinational cybersecurity software company headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, that researches and develops computer security software, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Avast had more than 435 million monthly active users[2] and the second largest market share among anti-malware application vendors worldwide as of April 2020.[3] As of 2025, parent company Gen Digital had approximately 4,000 employees worldwide.[2]

Avast was founded by Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera in 1988 as a cooperative, initially known as Alwil Software. It later rebranded to Avast, and in July 2016, acquired competitor AVG Technologies. At the time, AVG was the third-ranked antivirus product.[4] It was dual-listed on the Prague Stock Exchange and on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index until it was acquired by NortonLifeLock in September 2022.[5]

In July 2021, NortonLifeLock, an American cybersecurity company, announced that it was in talks to merge with Avast Software. In August 2021, Avast's board of directors agreed to an offer of US$8 billion.[6][7] After the merger was completed in September 2022, the combined company became known as Gen Digital.

The company's main product is Avast Antivirus, along with tools such as the Avast Secure Browser and the Avast SecureLine VPN.

Avast produces Avast Online Security, which is its main extension, but it also has extensions like Avast SafePrice and Avast Passwords.

History

[edit]

Avast was founded by Eduard Kučera and Pavel Baudiš in 1988.[8] The founders met each other at the Research Institute for Mathematical Machines in Czechoslovakia.[8] They studied math and computer science, because the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia would require them to join the communist party to study physics.[8] At the institute, Pavel Baudiš discovered the Vienna virus on a floppy disk and developed the first program to remove it.[8][9][10] Afterwards, he asked Eduard Kučera to join him in cofounding Avast as a cooperative.[9] The cooperative was originally called Alwil Software and only the software was named Avast.[11]

The cooperative was changed to a joint partnership in 1991, two years after the velvet revolution[12] caused a regime change in Czechoslovakia. The new regime severed ties with the Soviet Union and reverted the country's economic system to a market economy.[9][11] In 1995, Avast employee Ondřej Vlček [cs] wrote the first antivirus program for the Windows 95 operating system.[9] In the 1990s, security researchers at the Virus Bulletin, an IT security testing organization, gave the Avast software an award in every category tested, increasing the popularity of the software.[9] However, by the late 1990s, the company was struggling financially.[8] Alwil Software rebuffed acquisition offers by McAfee, who was licensing the Avast antivirus engine.[8]

By 2001, Alwil Software was experiencing financial difficulties, when it converted to a freemium model, offering a base Avast software product at no cost.[9] As a result of the freemium model, the number of users of the software grew to one million by 2004[9] and 20 million by 2006.[11] Former Symantec executive Vince Steckler was appointed CEO of Avast in 2009.[13] In 2010, Alwil Software changed its name to Avast, adopting the name of the software,[11] and raised $100 million in venture capital investments.[14] The following December, Avast filed for an initial public offering, but withdrew its application the following July, citing changes in market conditions.[15] In 2012, Avast fired its outsourced tech support service iYogi, after it was discovered that iYogi was using misleading sales tactics to persuade customers to buy unnecessary services.[16] By 2013, Avast had 200 million users in 38 countries and had been translated into 43 languages.[8] At the time, the company had 350 employees.[17]

In 2014, CVC Capital bought an interest in Avast for an undisclosed sum. The purchase valued Avast at $1 billion.[18][19] Later that year, Avast acquired mobile app developer Inmite in order to build Avast's mobile apps.[20] Additionally, Avast's online support forum was compromised in 2014, exposing 400,000 names, passwords and email addresses.[21][22] By 2015, Avast had the largest share of the market for antivirus software.[15] In July 2016, Avast reached an agreement to buy AVG for $1.3 billion.[23] AVG was a large IT security company that sold software for desktops and mobile devices.[24] In July 2017, Avast acquired UK-based Piriform for an undisclosed sum. Piriform was the developer of CCleaner.[25] Shortly afterwards it was disclosed that someone may have created a malicious version of CCleaner with a backdoor for hackers.[26] Avast had its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in May 2018, which valued it at £2.4bn and was one of the UK's biggest technology listings.[27]

Ondřej Vlček [cs] assumed the role of CEO and co-owner of Avast Plc in July 2019.[28] A day later, he changed his annual pay to $1 and pledged his board director's compensation of $100,000 to charity.[28] In October 2019, Jaya Baloo joined Avast as their Chief Information Security Officer.[29]

In April 2020, Avast released a new secure, private mobile web browser for Android based on technology acquired from previously unreported acquisition of Tenta, a Seattle-based startup.[30]

In July 2021, NortonLifeLock, an American cybersecurity company, announced that it is in talks to merge with Avast Software. In August 2021, Avast's board of directors agreed to an offer of US$8 billion. In September 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority approved the proposed takeover by NortonLifeLock so allowing the transaction to be completed. The merged company became known as Gen Digital.[31][32][33][34][35]

Products

[edit]
Main articles: Avast Antivirus, Avast SecureLine VPN, and Avast Secure Browser
See also: AVG Technologies

Avast develops and markets business and consumer IT security products for servers, desktops, and mobile devices.[36] The company sells both the Avast product line and the acquired AVG-branded products.[37] As of late 2017, the company had merged the AVG and Avast business product lines and were working to integrate the corporate departments from both companies.[38] Additionally, Avast has developed utility software products to improve battery life on mobile devices, cleanup unnecessary files on a hard drive, find secure wireless networks[39] or create a VPN connection to the internet.[40]

Avast and AVG consumer security software are sold on a freemium model, where basic security features are free, but more advanced features require purchasing a premium version.[37] The free version is also supported by ads.[41] Additionally, all Avast users provide data about their PC or mobile device to Avast, which is used to identify new security threats.[8] Antivirus scanning, browser cleanup, a secure browser, password management, and network security features are provided for free, while firewall, anti-spam, and online banking features have to be purchased.[42][43] About 3% of Avast's users pay for a premium version (10% in the US).[8]

The Avast business product family includes features for endpoint protection, Wi-Fi security, antivirus, identity protection, password management, and data protection.[38] For example, the desktop product will look for vulnerabilities in the wi-fi network and run applications suspect of having malicious software in an isolated sandbox.[44] The Avast Business Managed Workplace monitors and manages desktops, and assesses on-site security protocols.[38] The company also sells management software for IT administrators to deploy and manage Avast installations.[38]

Reception

[edit]

In 2021, PC Magazine gave Avast Free Antivirus software an overall score of 4 out of 5[45] and gave AVG, which was purchased by Avast in 2016, a score of 4, plus "AVG AntiVirus Free offers precisely the same virus protection engine as Avast Free Antivirus, but it lacks the impressive collection of additional features you get with Avast."[46] In tests conducted by the AV-TEST Institute in August 2021, Avast and AVG received six out of six points for protection and usability, and six out of six points for performance.[47][48] A review in Tom's Guide says that the free Avast antivirus product has "good protection against malware" and takes up little space on the system. The review says that Avast has a competitive set of features for a free antivirus product, but the scans are sometimes not very fast.[49]

The Avast antivirus product for business users received 4 out of 5 by TechRadar in 2017.[50] The review said that the software had good features, protection, configuration and an "excellent interface", but it took up a lot of hard disk space and did not cover mobile devices.[50] According to Tom's Guide, the mobile version is inexpensive and packed with features. PC Magazine said that the mobile version "has almost all the security features you could want."[51]

AVG has also generally performed well in lab tests. A review in Tom's Hardware gave the AVG software seven out of ten stars.[43] The review highlighted that the software has a small system footprint and has good malware protection, but does not have a quick scan option and lacks many additional features.[43]

Collection and sale of user data

[edit]

In late 2019, Avast browser extensions were found to collect user data, including browsing behavior and history, and send it to a remote server. The discovery led to the extensions of the Avast and AVG brands being temporarily removed from the Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera extension stores, however, they returned a short time later, as there was no concrete evidence that demonstrated a breach of private data of the users.[52][53][54]

In January 2020, a joint investigation by Motherboard and PCMag found that the Avast Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus Free version were collecting user data, which was being resold to personalize advertising through a subsidiary, Jumpshot.[55][56][57] The leaked documents showed that Jumpshot offered to provide its customers with "Every search. Every click. On every site." from more than 100 million compromised devices. In response, Avast announced on January 30, 2020, that it would immediately shut down Jumpshot and cease all operations due to the backlash of its users' data privacy.[58][59]

On the basis of the information revealed, on 11 February 2020 the Czech Office for Personal Data Protection announced that it had initiated a preliminary investigation.[60]

In February 2024, the Federal Trade Commission fined Avast $16.5 million for collecting user data and reselling that data.[61][62] In February 2025, settlement notices were sent to Avast customers by email.[63][64]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Avast

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Avast Software s.r.o. is a Czech multinational cybersecurity company headquartered in , specializing in antivirus and software, founded in 1988 by software engineers Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera during the era of Communist . The company initially developed as a to create anti-malware tools, evolving into a provider of consumer and business security solutions, including Avast Free Antivirus, which gained widespread adoption for its model offering basic protection against viruses, spyware, and . Avast's products, such as Avast Premium Security and Avast Business Antivirus, have received high marks in independent testing for malware detection and system performance impact, with the company earning awards like AV-TEST's Best Protection for Windows and macOS users in 2023, and blocking billions of cyber threats monthly across its user base. However, Avast faced significant scrutiny for privacy practices, as its subsidiary Jumpshot collected and sold detailed user browsing data to third parties from 2014 to 2020 without adequate consent, despite marketing its software as privacy-protective, leading to a $16.5 million settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in 2024 and a prohibition on selling such data for advertising purposes. In 2022, Avast was acquired by NortonLifeLock for over $8 billion, after which the parent company rebranded to Gen Digital, integrating Avast's technologies into a broader cyber safety portfolio while continuing operations under the Avast brand.

History

Founding and Early Development

Avast was founded in in , , by software engineers Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera, who established it as the ALWIL cooperative amid the constraints of the communist regime. Baudiš, while working at a research institute, encountered the Vienna virus on a brought from abroad in May 1988 and developed an early removal program for it, marking the inception of their antivirus efforts. This initiative stemmed from their shared background in mathematics and , where they recognized the emerging threat of to personal computers in . Following the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which ended communist rule, Baudiš and Kučera separated from the broader cooperative and formalized ALWIL Software, s.r.o., in spring 1991 to develop and distribute antivirus products via floppy disks. Early offerings focused on detecting and removing boot sector viruses prevalent on MS-DOS systems, with distribution limited by the era's technological and economic barriers in post-communist Czechoslovakia. In 1995, Ondřej Vlček joined the team, co-authoring the company's first antivirus solution for Windows 95, which expanded compatibility to graphical operating systems and laid groundwork for broader market penetration. During the late , ALWIL prioritized detection methods to combat evolving threats like polymorphic viruses, while maintaining a small and bootstrapped operations without significant external . The antivirus engine, initially named avast! (derived from "AV" for antivirus and "last" for comprehensive protection), gained traction among Eastern European users through models and virus signature updates shared via systems and early internet connections. This period solidified ALWIL's focus on lightweight, effective scanning tools suited to limited hardware resources of the time.

Growth and Key Milestones

Avast's growth accelerated following the introduction of its free antivirus version in the early , which adopted a model to expand its user base rapidly. By 2004, the company had approximately 1 million users, surging to 20 million by 2006 due to widespread adoption of the no-cost offering. This strategy positioned Avast as a dominant player in consumer cybersecurity, with user numbers reaching 200 million across PCs, smartphones, and tablets by November 2013. A pivotal expansion occurred on July 7, 2016, when Avast acquired AVG Technologies for $1.3 billion in an all-cash deal at $25 per share, integrating AVG's technology and user base to enhance scale in antivirus and IoT security. The merger propelled Avast's total active users beyond 400 million, strengthening its global market presence. The company achieved a major financial milestone with its initial public offering on May 10, 2018, on the London Stock Exchange, raising $200 million in primary proceeds and $616.6 million in secondary proceeds at a valuation of $3.23 billion. This marked the largest technology IPO in Europe for 2018 and one of the top five tech listings historically on the LSE. In June 2020, Avast was admitted to the FTSE 100 index, reflecting sustained revenue growth and market recognition. Growth culminated in Avast's acquisition by NortonLifeLock (later rebranded ), completed on September 12, 2022, in a transaction valued at over $8 billion combining cash and shares. This integration expanded Avast's reach within a larger cybersecurity portfolio, maintaining a combined user base exceeding 435 million as of recent reports.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Integration into

Avast expanded its capabilities through a series of acquisitions targeting complementary , , and technologies. A pivotal deal was the acquisition of rival antivirus provider , announced on July 7, 2016, and completed later that month for $1.3 billion in cash and shares, which added AVG's established user base and product lines to Avast's portfolio. Subsequent purchases included data firm Jumpshot in April 2017 for an undisclosed amount, aimed at enhancing threat intelligence through user behavior insights. By 2022, Avast had completed at least seven such transactions across software and related sectors in multiple countries. On August 10, 2021, Avast agreed to a merger with NortonLifeLock Inc., structured as a mix of cash and stock valuing the transaction at $8.1 billion to $8.6 billion, pending regulatory approvals. The deal received clearance from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority on September 2, 2022, and closed on September 12, 2022, via a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under which Avast shareholders received consideration equivalent to approximately £6.6 billion. Upon completion, NortonLifeLock changed its corporate name to Gen Digital Inc., reflecting the combined entity's focus on broader cyber safety solutions beyond traditional antivirus. Post-merger integration efforts centered on consolidating operations, technologies, and internal controls to create a unified platform serving over 500 million users with annual revenues approaching $3.5 billion. continued to allocate resources toward , leveraging Avast's expertise in consumer security to address evolving threats, though the process involved ongoing harmonization of processes as noted in regulatory filings through late 2022. The merger positioned the enlarged company as a leader in consumer cyber protection, with Avast's brands and technologies retained within 's .

Products and Services

Core Antivirus Offerings

Avast's core antivirus offerings encompass a model with tiered products emphasizing real-time scanning, behavioral analysis, and multi-layered shields against , viruses, and threats, compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and platforms. These products leverage a shared featuring cloud-assisted detection and AI-driven identification to address evolving cyber risks. Avast Free Antivirus serves as the baseline offering, delivering fundamental protections via Core Shields including File Shield for real-time of files during access or transfer, Shield for flagging anomalous program actions, Web Shield for intercepting malicious URLs and downloads, and Mail Shield for scanning attachments and links. It supports full system Smart Scans to detect vulnerabilities and quarantines threats for user review, relying on signature-based matching augmented by and without premium ransomware-specific defenses or firewall enhancements. As of 2025, this free version powers protection for hundreds of millions of devices worldwide, focusing on installation and basic efficacy against common threats. Avast Premium Security builds on the free edition with advanced components such as a dedicated Ransomware Shield to block encryption attempts and rollback affected files, an intelligent Firewall for inbound/outbound traffic monitoring, and Webcam Protection to alert on unauthorized microphone or camera activation. Additional antivirus-centric features include Email Guard for detection in communications and automatic software updating to close exploitable gaps, enabling coverage across up to 10 devices under a subscription model priced at $69.48 for the first year. This tier targets users requiring fortified defenses against sophisticated attacks, with independent evaluations confirming high detection rates in real-world scenarios. Avast One functions as the integrated flagship product line, incorporating core antivirus elements like AI-enhanced scanning for , , and alongside unified Web and Email Guards for proactive threat blocking. Distinct from Premium Security by its modular structure—offering free Essential, paid ($59.88 first year), , and bundles—it prioritizes holistic device safeguarding with embedded performance tools, while maintaining the same foundational shields and detection heuristics. Available for multi-platform deployment, Avast One's antivirus core emphasizes seamless updates and behavioral monitoring to counter zero-day exploits, positioning it as a comprehensive entry point for users valuing extensibility over isolated AV functions.

Complementary Security and Privacy Tools

Avast offers SecureLine VPN, a service that encrypts internet traffic using AES-256 encryption and supports protocols such as and IKEv2 to mask users' IP addresses and protect against on public networks. The tool allows simultaneous connections on up to 10 devices and includes features like a to prevent data leaks during connection drops, as well as Smart VPN for automatic server selection based on location and load. Independent tests have confirmed its ability to avoid IP and DNS leaks, though its server network of around 700 locations across 34 countries is smaller than some competitors. AntiTrack functions as an anti-fingerprinting tool that actively disrupts trackers by injecting randomized "" data into browser requests, such as fake browser fingerprints and digital personas, to obscure users' true identities from advertisers and websites. It scans for and blocks tracking attempts in real-time, clears cookies and cache traces, and supports major browsers including Chrome, , and Edge, with reported effectiveness in evading common fingerprinting techniques during controlled tests. Unlike passive blockers, AntiTrack's proactive has been noted for reducing profile-building accuracy, though it may slightly impact page load times due to added processing. BreachGuard provides data breach monitoring by scanning public databases and the for exposed personal information tied to users' addresses and credentials, delivering alerts within 24 hours of detection. The service includes unlimited monitoring, change guidance, and monitoring in select regions, with users able to add multiple accounts for comprehensive coverage. It integrates tools to prioritize threats, such as leaked credentials from past incidents like the 2019 breach, and has been utilized by millions to respond to over 10 billion detected leaks as of 2023. Additional privacy-focused extensions, such as the Online Security & Privacy browser add-on, block sites and malicious trackers while rating reputations based on community data from over 400 million users. These tools are often bundled in suites like Avast Ultimate, enabling cross-device protection without standalone antivirus overlap.

Technology and Efficacy

Core Detection Mechanisms

Avast's core detection mechanisms rely on a multi-layered that integrates , dynamic emulation, behavioral monitoring, and artificial intelligence-driven to identify known and emerging threats. The system processes files and behaviors across six defensive layers, leveraging vast from over 435 million users to enhance accuracy and speed. Static analysis forms the initial barrier through the Static Scanner, which examines file structures—such as (PE) headers and linker information—without execution, employing models for and similarity matching against known variants. Heuristic elements within this scanner apply algorithmic rules to flag anomalies in code obfuscation or packing techniques, reducing reliance on exact matches. These methods enable proactive detection of polymorphic or repackaged threats before runtime. For unknown or suspicious files, dynamic analysis occurs via emulators and DeepScreen technology, which simulate execution in isolated virtual environments, including full virtual machines hosted in the for deeper scrutiny. DeepScreen correlates findings with global to classify evasive samples, while CyberCapture automatically uploads rare binaries (processing up to 1 million files daily) to Avast Threat Labs for clean-room dissection, revealing hidden payloads through binary command and providing zero-second blocking for Nitro Edition users via immediate reputation checks against the FileRep database of over 5 billion files. Behavioral detection complements these through Behavior Shield, which monitors active processes for malicious actions like process termination (e.g., disabling ) or unauthorized hardware access (e.g., webcam activation), quarantining threats in real-time. Advanced behavioral threat fingerprinting uses graph neural networks (GNNs) to model system events as interconnected graphs—nodes for actions like file writes or network calls, edges for sequences—identifying fingerprints of attacks such as ransomware encryption or loader injections, with multi-output predictions for threat type, severity, and tactics aligned to MITRE ATT&CK. Machine learning underpins the ecosystem with multiple engines applying deep convolutional neural networks (Deep CNNs) for feature extraction from code and behaviors, trained on petabyte-scale datasets from endpoint sensors. Models update within 12 hours of new emergence, enabling rapid adaptation to zero-days like WannaCry, with orchestration ensuring low-latency deployment across devices. This AI integration prioritizes false-positive minimization through ensemble methods and explainable outputs.

Performance in Independent Evaluations

Avast has demonstrated strong performance in independent antivirus evaluations conducted by organizations such as and AV-Comparatives, often achieving top ratings for detection, protection, and system impact across Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms. In 's assessments for home users, Avast Free Antivirus versions from 24.8 through 25.7 consistently earned "top product" status in tests from October 2024 to August 2025, scoring full points (6/6) in protection, performance, and usability categories, which totals the maximum 18 points possible. This performance contributed to Avast receiving the Award 2024 for sustained excellence in long-term testing. In AV-Comparatives' evaluations, Avast excelled in real-world and detection. For instance, in the Real-World Protection Test for July-August 2025, Avast achieved high blocking rates with minimal false positives. The Protection Test in September 2025 similarly highlighted Avast's efficacy against advanced threats. In the April 2025 Performance Test, Avast scored 90 out of 100 overall, with a 96.2% impact score and only 3.8% slowdown, tying for second place among tested products and outperforming several paid competitors in . AV-Comparatives' 2024 Summary Report recognized Avast Free Antivirus as a "Top Rated Product," awarding "Advanced+" ratings in six of seven tests and "Advanced" in one, based on consistent high detection rates exceeding 99% for zero-day and prevalent .
Test OrganizationTest TypeDateKey Metrics for Avast
AV-TEST Home ProtectionAugust 20256/6 Protection, 6/6 , 6/6 Usability (Top Product)
AV-Comparatives TestApril 202590/100 Overall; 96.2% Score; 3.8% Impact
AV-ComparativesAnti-Phishing CertificationRecent (2025)96% Detection; 0 False Alarms
Aggregated lab scores from multiple independent testers, including and AV-Comparatives, have positioned Avast with a composite rating of 9.6 out of 10 in evaluations by , reflecting superior detection of widespread and zero-day threats alongside low false positive rates. These results underscore Avast's behavioral analysis and cloud-based scanning capabilities, though performance can vary slightly by platform, with macOS tests in 2024-2025 also yielding top awards for home user protection. Independent labs like SE Labs have similarly validated Avast's endpoint protection in real-world attack simulations, contributing to its recognition in broader cybersecurity rankings for 2025.

Business Operations

Freemium Model and Monetization

Avast operates a , offering a no-cost version of its that provides basic protections including scanning, file shielding, and web threat detection to attract a broad user base. Premium subscriptions, such as Avast Premium Security, unlock additional features like defense, firewall management, email guardianship, and unlimited VPN access, typically priced on an annual basis per device or multi-device bundle. This tiered structure encourages free users to upgrade via in-app notifications highlighting limitations in the free edition, such as restricted and absence of advanced tools. The model leverages low customer acquisition costs inherent in viral distribution and , with free users serving as a reservoir for conversion to paid plans through demonstrated value and targeted promotions. Company executives have described as "very profitable" due to scalable infrastructure and high margins on subscriptions once users convert, with primarily derived from these recurring payments rather than one-time licenses. Historical data from Avast's public filings indicate average per desktop customer around $53, reflecting effective from a of engaged users amid a total base exceeding 400 million active installations. Following its acquisition by in September 2022, Avast's approach integrates with the parent's multi-brand strategy, expanding channels alongside to enhance market reach and subscription funnel efficiency. reports over 39 million direct paid customers across its ecosystem as of fiscal 2024, with retention rates above 77%, underscoring the sustained viability of -driven subscription revenue amid competitive pressures in consumer cybersecurity. While specific conversion rates for Avast remain undisclosed, industry benchmarks for freemium antivirus hover at 2-5%, emphasizing the model's reliance on volume for profitability.

Global Operations and User Base

Avast, headquartered in , , at Pikrtova 1737/1a, operates as a key component of 's global cybersecurity portfolio following its 2022 acquisition. The company's primary research and development activities remain centered in , with additional offices spanning multiple continents, including locations in (), (), and (), supporting a of nearly 2,000 employees across approximately 12 sites as of 2021. Integration into has expanded its operational footprint, leveraging dual headquarters in and , to facilitate coordinated international threat intelligence and product distribution. The firm's global reach is evidenced by its diversified revenue streams across geographies, with historical annual reports indicating balanced contributions from consumer and small-to-medium business segments in , , and emerging markets. Avast's threat detection network draws on telemetry from installations worldwide, enabling real-time updates to its behavioral analysis engines and contributing to quarterly global risk assessments that track prevalence by region. Avast's user base comprises over 435 million monthly active users globally as of September 2025, predominantly driven by its model that offers free antivirus protection to hundreds of millions while converting a portion to premium subscriptions. This scale provides a vast for machine learning-based threat identification, enhancing efficacy against evolving cyber risks encountered across diverse operating environments from Windows desktops in to mobile devices in . The user distribution reflects strong adoption outside , where Avast holds substantial among anti-malware solutions, supported by localized support and multilingual interfaces.

Data Collection Practices and Jumpshot Subsidiary

Avast's and browser extensions collected detailed web data from users, including full URLs visited, search terms, page titles, timestamps, and device information, spanning from 2014 to 2020. This amounted to over eight petabytes of data from more than 100 million devices worldwide, encompassing visits to sensitive categories such as , healthcare providers, , and political sites. Avast asserted that the data was anonymized through techniques like hashing IP addresses and stripping personally identifiable information, but critics and regulators contended that re-identification risks persisted due to the granularity of the records. The company routed this data to its wholly-owned subsidiary Jumpshot, founded in 2015 and based in , which processed and sold aggregated datasets to over 100 clients for marketing analytics, advertising targeting, and . Buyers included major firms such as , , , and Home Depot, who used the information to profile consumer behavior across "walled gardens" like apps and logged-in services. User consent for this sharing was not explicitly obtained; instead, it occurred via opaque settings in the free versions of Avast and AVG products, contradicting marketing claims that the software blocked third-party trackers and safeguarded . Investigative reporting in January 2020 by Vice's Motherboard revealed Jumpshot's data sales on platforms like AWS, prompting widespread backlash over potential privacy violations despite anonymization pledges. Avast responded by announcing the wind-down of Jumpshot on January 30, 2020, with CEO Ondřej Vlček issuing an apology and affirming compliance with laws including GDPR, though the subsidiary ceased operations voluntarily prior to any formal penalties at that time. Subsequent U.S. scrutiny resulted in a February 2024 complaint alleging deceptive trade practices, as Avast had misrepresented its products' protections while monetizing user data. The settlement, finalized on June 27, 2024, imposed a $16.5 million , a permanent ban on selling or licensing browsing data for , requirements to delete retained Jumpshot datasets, and mandates for clear disclosures in future data practices. Avast did not admit wrongdoing but committed to enhanced measures, including opt-out mechanisms for .

FTC Settlement and Aftermath

In January 2024, the U.S. (FTC) proposed a order against Avast Software s.r.o. and its subsidiaries, including the now-defunct Jumpshot Inc., alleging unfair and deceptive practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The FTC charged that Avast misrepresented its privacy protections by claiming its antivirus products blocked third-party tracking and safeguarded user , while actually collecting detailed browsing histories from approximately 100 million devices worldwide between 2014 and 2020 and selling them through Jumpshot to third parties for and purposes without user or adequate disclosure. The included URLs visited, search terms, and timestamps, enabling precise targeting of consumers based on sensitive activities like visits to or financial sites. The settlement, finalized by the FTC on July 17, 2024, required Avast to pay $16.5 million in monetary relief, with funds allocated for consumer refunds, and imposed a 10-year ban on selling, licensing, or otherwise transferring any browsing data or device identifiers for purposes. Additional terms mandated Avast to delete all collected browsing data within 20 days, instruct prior buyers to destroy it, implement a comprehensive and program, and undergo biennial audits by independent experts for 20 years to ensure compliance. Avast neither admitted nor denied the allegations but agreed to the order to resolve the matter. Following the settlement, the FTC launched a refund claims process on February 24, 2025, targeting over 3.6 million affected U.S. consumers who purchased Avast or products between January 1, 2014, and January 31, 2020. Eligible users could apply for payments averaging around $4–$5 per claim via ftc.gov/Avast, with the process closing after a claims deadline in May 2025. Avast had already shuttered Jumpshot operations in January 2020 amid public scrutiny from investigative reports, ceasing data collection and sales prior to the FTC action. The settlement reinforced FTC enforcement priorities on data privacy misrepresentations, signaling heightened scrutiny of security software firms' handling of user telemetry, but did not result in broader operational disruptions for Avast, which continued emphasizing transparency in subsequent updates. No significant volatility or user base erosion was reported directly attributable to the finalization, though it underscored ongoing risks in the antivirus model's reliance on aggregated user data for revenue diversification.

Market Position and Impact

Adoption and Competitive Standing

Avast has cultivated a large global user base through its freemium distribution model, which offers a robust free version alongside premium upgrades, resulting in protection for over 435 million users as of September 2025. This adoption is particularly strong in the consumer segment, where the free tier drives initial uptake; in the U.S., Avast commands an 18% share of free antivirus users, though its paid market penetration stands at around 8%. Following its acquisition by Gen Digital in September 2022, Avast's user metrics have been integrated into the parent company's portfolio, contributing to sustained growth amid a broader cybersecurity market valued at $4.23 billion in 2025. In terms of competitive standing, Avast performs strongly in independent lab evaluations, earning top product status in AV-TEST's August 2025 Windows assessments for protection, performance, and usability. It achieved the highest aggregate score of 9.6 across five major testing labs, tying with Norton and outperforming many peers in detection rates exceeding 99% while maintaining minimal system impact. Against key competitors like and Norton, Avast holds its own in core antivirus efficacy, though it trails slightly in bundled extras such as advanced remediation; nonetheless, its AI-enhanced features, including detection, have positioned it as a leader for users in 2025 rankings. Avast's market position benefits from its emphasis on accessibility and cross-platform support, appealing to a diverse user demographic where 97% configure the software in English, reflecting broad international appeal despite origins in the . However, in paid enterprise and premium consumer segments, it faces stiffer competition from incumbents like (23% U.S. paid share) and Kaspersky, where Avast's differentiation relies on cost-effective pricing and high detection efficacy rather than exclusive features. Independent comparisons affirm its viability as a top-tier option, with consistent awards from bodies like Software Experts in 2025, underscoring resilience post-acquisition without compromising core protective capabilities.

Achievements, Criticisms, and Broader Influence

Avast has garnered numerous accolades for its antivirus performance in independent testing. In 2023, awarded it Best Protection for Consumer Users, Best Protection for Corporate Users under Windows, and Best macOS Security for Consumer Users based on superior detection rates and low false positives. Similarly, in 2024, recognized Avast with the Best macOS Security Award for Consumer Users, citing exceptional protection and minimal performance impact. AV-Comparatives has also granted multiple awards, including Product of the Year for consistent top-tier results across real-world threat simulations, outperforming many paid competitors. In 2019, it received the Consumer of the Year from CyberSecurity Breakthrough for robust defense. These honors reflect Avast's efficacy in blocking billions of threats monthly, including and attempts, through AI-driven engines. Criticisms of Avast center on privacy violations, particularly its Jumpshot's practices from 2014 to 2020, during which it collected detailed from users' devices without explicit consent and sold aggregated datasets to over 100 third parties for advertising purposes. The U.S. (FTC) alleged deceptive claims of protection while enabling indefinite and potential re-identification by buyers, leading to a $16.5 million settlement in 2024 that bans Avast from selling for ads and requires consumer refunds. Additional concerns include software overriding user to upload suspicious files for analysis and persistent upgrade notifications perceived as aggressive, alongside occasional lapses in detecting certain viruses on macOS. These issues have eroded trust, with advocates highlighting in a itself as a defender of digital freedom. Avast's broader influence lies in popularizing antivirus models, which expanded consumer access to basic protections and grew its user base to hundreds of millions, indirectly raising industry standards for . Its integration of AI for real-time threat adaptation has influenced peers in combating evolving scams and IoT vulnerabilities, while tools like Secure Browser emphasize layered defenses for everyday users. However, the Jumpshot scandal underscored systemic risks in monetization by security firms, prompting regulatory and heightened consumer awareness of opaque practices in , though post-settlement reforms have aimed to restore focus on threat mitigation over exploitation.

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